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Archives for May 2014
Geneva celebrates 200 years as part of the Swiss confederation
This weekend, Geneva celebrates 200 years as part of the Swiss confederation. The festivities, which are a mix of official ceremonies, historical and contemporary plays, parades, shows and concerts will last from Friday to Sunday. During the course of the weekend, people will be able to discover what it was like to live in Geneva […]
European elections: The Swiss equation
GENEVA The right-wing surge in the 2014 European elections is unlikely to have an immediate impact on Switzerland, other than to reinforce immigration concerns among those who voted for curbs on foreigners in the 9 February Swiss referendum. Apart from wishing to disengage as much as possible from Brussels, a prime message from Europe’s disgruntled […]
EU elections: The Swiss right’s conundrum
Notwithstanding the long-term visions of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson Thomas Paine and other exceptional individuals, the wonderfully patriotic propaganda one often finds in American schools about how united the 13 colonies were against King George III has little to do with reality. What largely characterized the colonies was that they were beset by rivalries, jealousies […]
Caves ouvertes
Visiting different regions around the country is always a great excuse to go wine tasting (if an excuse is ever needed). This weekend the Valais producers are opening their cellars to the public. Valais 29 – 31 May Click here for more details – Benoît Dorsaz, 1926 Fully – Simon Maye et Fils, 1955 Saint-Pierre-de-Clages […]
Of bugs, bacteria and human behaviour
Funny things, bugs. I was pondering this the other day, as I sat watching my children performing in a school play. They were on opposite sides of the stage and I spent an hour trying to make eye contact with them both at the same time, so no one could accuse me of loving the […]
Bergamo, Italy: Dolce vita around the corner
Need a dolce vita fix? Located 50km away from the hustle and bustle of Milan, Bergamo is a city full of old-world Italian charm. The city’s defining feature is the ancient hilltop Città Alta (Upper Town) surrounded by the Mura, over 5km of well-preserved Venetian walls. A wander through the cobblestone streets leads to several […]
Your tenant or landlord rights
As anywhere, trying to negotiate tenancy laws in Switzerland can be tricky. Disputes can range from the level of maintenance work the landlord is required to undertake to tenants refusing to pay rent. Whether you are the owner or the renter, it is best to have an expert on your side before things get out […]
Beware: Voracious pest
Your garden, terrace or balcony with its elegantly shaped box shrubs may be looking its best, but beware. The smart look of your home may be in jeopardy. Your decorative box shrubs may become the unwitting host and victim of the box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis), an unwelcome Asian invader with no natural predators. Originally […]
Burgundy bites: Poulet de Bresse
One of the best reasons to live in the Lake Geneva region is that it’s within striking distance of Burgundy. If we manage to slip out of the office by 17h on a Friday evening, we can be happily ensconced two hours later in a cozy bistro in Beaune, sipping our kir, debating what to […]